Bongo's Bingo 'deeply saddened' by closure of Ocean Room

Bongo's Bingo used to take place every month at the Ocean Room in Gorleston and was a regular event at the venue for more than seven years.

But the sudden closure of the nightclub has left many local fans wondering when they will get to enjoy the event again. 

A spokesperson for Bongo's Bingo said: "Right now, our thoughts are with the amazing team at Ocean Room and the incredibly sad news of their closure.

The Ocean Room in Gorleston hosted Bongo's Bingo for more than seven years. (Image: Anthony Carroll)

"We’re deeply saddened about this. They’ve been fantastic to work with over the years and they have always been super supportive.

"It’s a truly huge loss for Gorleston," the spokesperson said.

As for the future, they said they are "currently considering all options in the area".

Bongo's Bingo currently stages nights at Epic Studios in Norwich.

The event, which launched in April 2015 and takes place in venues across the country, puts a twist on the traditional British game with rave rounds, dance-offs and crazy prizes. 

When the event started in Gorleston in 2018, people would travel to the town from all over East Anglia and beyond, filling hotels and boosting business at local pubs.

READ MORE: 'Another nail in the coffin' - Nightclub closure piles pressure on local businesses

Bongo's Bingo features dance-offs and rave intervals. (Image: Bongo's Bingo)

On March 1, the Ocean Room operators, Kelly Edwards and her cousin Ben Jay, announced the business had gone into administration, marking an end to three generations of family ownership.

They said their current situation was "untenable" due to the long-lasting effects of the cost of living crisis and the pandemic.

The closure has piled pressure on local pubs and restaurants including The Belle Vue Inn and The Shed Tapas Bar which relied on the Ocean Room for a lot of their trade.